CATALYSE: RCCG HOLY GHOST CONGRESS IN LAGOS

RCCG HOLY GHOST CONGRESS VISIT: 
"HOW GREAT YOU ARE!" 

In 2012, the Strategic Planning Team (SPT) organised for our movement to be represented at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Holy Ghost Congress (HGC) in December 2012 at Lagos, Nigeria. When this invitation was firmed up, Pastor Simon Eng and Dr Brendan Kirby prepared to go and represent HIM at this congress. The following is Dr Brendan Kirby's account of the ground-breaking trip. 

On the way into Lagos International Airport I mentioned to Ps Simon that I did not know much about RCCG except that they had a number of churches in Nigeria and to my mind at the time, some in Europe and in North America. From what I could find out about the ministry it did not seem outstanding. Ps Simon shrugged his shoulders and indicated that he hoped for the best! I was erring on the side of what I thought was "healthy skepticism". Was I in for a shock.

On the second day of our arrival we were shown around the church campgrounds. The driver casually indicated to us that the long building that stretched out into the distance as far as my eye could see was the "church crusade ground". I couldn't believe my eyes. "You are telling me this is the church hall?", I asked incredulously. The building was open - no walls, but must have been about 1.2 km long. I was told later its width was about 800m.

I soon learned that the RCCG under the humble, highly esteemed leadership of Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, the General Overseer (GO) or affectionately known as "Daddy GO", had planted over 18,000 churches in over 170 different countries in the last 30 years, and that their campground meeting place had a capacity to hold millions of people.



I really could not believe it. On that Tuesday night, our movement president, Ps Simon was asked to preach for 3 minutes to the crowd, so I tried to get an attendance estimate - as a movement they are very shy about broadcasting their numerical attendance statistics. It was difficult to get an exact figure - but after piecing together a few comments here and there, the estimate ranged from a minimum of half a million to 2 million people on that Tuesday night! Wow! (The Friday night attendance was told to me by one pastor on saturday morning as 7 million people!)

Not only were the crowds unbelievably large, but the presence of God was refreshingly tangible. I had a great time with the Lord during the various meetings, praying and crying out to Him to do a greater work in my life and in HIM. I had tears in my eyes at numerous times during those five days at the Holy Ghost Congress. Many testimonies were given during the HGC that revealed a hallmark of RCCG - supernatural signs and wonders - great miracles were commonplace. The power of God was expected to be present. Blind people and crippled people were often telling of their healing!


On the Wednesday morning we had the privilege of a 15 minute interview with Ps Adeboye and not only were we impressed with his humility and approachability, but also his trust in God. When asked if he became stressed or anxious about leading such a large movement of people, he firmly answered that he did his best in every area, and then committed it to the Lord, wiped his hands of it and refused to worry about it, amen! He exuded a great faith in God and great grace in his manner. He also stressed the importance for his pastors to walk in holiness.

I went away renewed, refreshed, invigorated, encouraged, inspired, energised, empowered and re-envisioned! I told God He had to do a greater work in my life, amen! I spoke to Ps Simon and I agreed to commit myself to help him and Dr Wilson and the Regional Pastors to grow HIM to 1000 churches soon! God's kingdom is the greatest endeavour we can give our lives to ladies and gentlemen. Let us avail ourselves to the work of God unreservedly and passionately, knowing that eternity is in the balance, amen! I returned home with the theme "How Great You Are!" ringing in my ears. "How great You are, Oh God!" Since returning to Australia we have decided to meet up with the RCCG Oceania Overseer and to meet with Ps Adeboye again when our schedules permit. Amen.

 Written by Dr Brendan Kirby, pastor of our church in Adelaide, Australia, 

(One of our 6 Priorities of CATALYSE 2015 is Kingdom Partnerships. Then a Kingdom Partnership initiative is to form Strategic Partnerships with Apostolic-Prophetic movements. This is why SPT arranged for our movement to be special invited guests of RCCG to their Dec 2012 congress. Joining this Congress is the first step of getting to know their top leaders and being part of their global conference/event.)

For more information write to us at

spt@byhim.org

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